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The focal point of N.C. State's offense was the focal point of Friday's conversation with head coach coach Mark Gottfried.

His one-guard was taken for X-Rays early Friday morning and fortunately, no further damage to Lorenzo Brown's injured left ankle was revealed. As for whether Zo's a go or a no-go for tomorrow, Gottfried said he still doesn't know.

"I'm a little bit in the unknown as well," said Gottfried. "I think we'll see how he feels tomorrow. The probability, in my mind, for him to be recovered enough to cut and move and sprint and jump, is pretty slim."

That leaves point duties to freshmen Rodney Purvis and Tyler Lewis against the Canes capable backcourt. Miami is unbeaten in league play and has already clipped two legs of the triangle.

"They knocked off Duke and Carolina, all in the same year," said Purvis.

"Miami is really not going to take it easy on us just because someone doesn't play," said forward Scott Wood. "So, we got to go out there and execute if need be."

The injury bug swarms in Chapel Hill, too.

P.J. Hairston remains doubtful for Virginia Tech after suffering a concussion at Boston College. However, his sense of humor seems to be improving.

"He came and sit and watched yesterday and laughed at some of my jokes during practice," said UNC Head Coach Roy Williams. "So, he's trying to suck up."

The Heels do get one player back in the fold. Leslie McDonald returns to the lineup after missing the last six due to injury and a suspension.

"He's another great shooter that can stretch the floor and make it easier for us," said Heels forward James Michael McAdoo. "That's just another guy who can step up."

"We do need him to score but we also need him to do a good job defensively," said Williams.

Defense will be key, as the Heels host the nation's leading scorer in the Hokies' Erick Green.